Apparatus for adding, removing, and exchanging marbling fat within raw meat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the removal, addition, or exchange of marbling fat within meat pieces, an apparatus for practicing the method, and the meat product produced by practicing the method using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a reservoir tank, a temperature control for maintaining a constant, predetermined temperature within the reservoir tank, a hollow needle for piercing a raw meat workpiece, conduit for connecting the reservoir tank to the hollow needle, a reciprocating structure for reciprocating the hollow needle, a stage to hold the meat workpiece, and a die to remove fat which is adhered to the needle as the needle is reciprocated through the meat workpiece.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for altering fat content within raw meat comprising: a reservoir tank;   temperature control means for maintaining a constant, predetermined temperature within said reservoir tank;   at least one hollow piercing means for piercing a raw meat workpiece, said hollow piercing means defining at least one lumen therein, and including at least one open eye communicating said at least one lumen within said hollow piercing means to space outside of said hollow piercing means;   conduit means for connecting said reservoir tank to said lumen of said at least one hollow piercing means;   reciprocating means for reciprocating said at least one hollow piercing means;   a stage having at least one opening therethrough, said at least one opening in registration with said at least one hollow piercing means;   at least one die having at least one hole therethrough, said at least one hole in registration with said at least one hollow piercing means and said at least one opening of said stage, said at least one hole capable of removing stiffened material adhered to a surface of said at least one piercing means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fat tray having at least one aperture therethrough, said aperture in registration with said at least one hollow piercing means. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said at least one hollow piercing means is a plurality of hollow piercing means, and wherein said at least one die includes a plurality of dies, said dies including a plurality of holes in registration with said plurality of hollow piercing mean, and wherein said stage further includes a plurality of openings, said openings in registration with said plurality of hollow piercing means. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said at least one fat tray is a plurality of fat trays. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said reciprocating means for reciprocating said plurality of piercing means is a direct-drive hydraulic piston. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of hollow piercing means is a plurality of hollow needles. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said hollow needles are made of Permanickel alloy. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of hollow piercing means is a plurality of hollow blades. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of blades are made of Permanickel alloy.